New chapter in Ruffa’s career

After being managed solely by her mother Annabelle Rama for the longest time, Ruffa Gutierrez has signed with good friend Arnold Vegafria to handle her business and showbiz dealings, signaling a fresh phase for the actress-host.

“For me, timing is everything and I think now is the right time (to do this),” she said at the contract signing.

“Ang partnership hindi dapat pinipilit. Ito, kaya smooth, kasi we always just used to get along. We have the same vision and we’re both very excited.”

She is confident Arnold and her mom will remain on good terms as they’ve also been friends for years.

“I’m thankful that he and mom get along very well. It was actually them that told me about their agreement. If both of them join forces and I behave, then only good things will come. I feel positive about this partnership.”

Ruffa likes it that Arnold regularly communicates with everyone he handles.

Among her plans is to do movies again. Ruffa said that this time around, it doesn’t matter whether she plays protagonist or antagonist.

“For me as long as the role is very good, okay lang,” she said. “It doesn’t matter kung mabait ako, kontrabida ako, mistress ako, it doesn’t matter really, it’s just a role. I’ve been a glamorous kontrabida in the past naman eh, pero ’wag naman mamamatay tao ’di ba. ’Yung may relevance naman in the end.”

The actress’ current stint on noontime variety show “Eat Bulaga!” – as Ruffaree on its “Jackpot En Poy” segment – is a hit.

More than the buzz it has created, Ruffa is thankful that it shows another side of her.

Ruffa also dreams of hosting a talk show in the future though she acknowledges that “hindi na uso ’yon ngayon.”

“I miss those time when I would banter (with my guests or co-hosts). I love talking about my insights and hopefully there will come a time na magiging uso ulit ang talk show,” she said.

Ruffa is also seen on reality TV show “It Takes Gutz To Be A Gutierrez,” now on its fifth season.

“We are pleased to announce that we are number one on E! Asia. Super grateful!” she said, adding, “Sarah and Chard are engaged, I just bought a Gee house, and there’s a new addition to the family (Baby Ezra). We’re planning Season 6 already! We are up significantly in ratings in the Philippines and Singapore.”

Soon ‘official’

Ruffa is excited to officially welcome Sarah Lahbati to their family. She advises the couple to keep love and God at the center of their lives.

“Kasi once God is at the center of their lives madali na ’yun eh. Lahat ng mga problema maayos at lahat mapagdadaanan nila,” she explained.

Having been married, she noted it’s not all good times and that it actively needs work to keep the union uppity.

“You have to always do exciting things to keep it alive kasi this is forever, hindi naman siya three years, four years, five years lang. So, I think ’yun ang pinaka importante na they must communicate and always pray together.

Does Annabelle fully approve now of Ruffa’s boyfriend, we wondered out loud.

“Hindi pa, alam mo naman. Hayaan mo na,” she said, smiling.

Note that she’s been in a relationship with French-Israeli Jordan Mouyal for four years now.

No, she doesn’t have plans to settle down just yet.

“You know ’cause I’ve been there, I’ve done that. Hindi naman ako masyado nagmamadali, if someone comes in my life na nakita ko naman that he will change my life in a great way, then let’s see,” she maintained.

Apart from her work and love life, Ruffa is grateful to have his two beautiful and smart daughters Lorin and Venice.

Lorin and Venice, 14 and 13 years old respectively, are following in the footstep of their family legacy by joining show business.

Ruffa proudly revealed her kids are starting to get inquiries and offers now.

“Pero sabi ko sa kanila pwede tayong tumanggap as long as ’di natin pababayaan ’yung pag-aaral niyo which I think is the most important. Para ’pag wala na sila sa show business they have something to fallback on,” she related.

Like her mom, Ruffa is strict in accepting offers, relating how she would allow endorsement and such but no love team as much as possible.

Ruffa believes it is her right to make decisions for her daughter as she raises the girls on her own “without any help” from her former husband Yilmaz Bektas.

“Thank God that I have a lot of projects and I’m able to raise them on my own.”

Though Ruffa has the full custody of the kids, she noted that Yilmaz is free to see or communicate with her daughters.

“The kids are old enough. He can reach them on his own,” she related.

Well, do they look for or ask about Yilmaz?

“They wonder about him but they are very smart girls,” she said. “Ganyan talaga ang buhay. Not everything is a fairy tale and even if you want life to be perfect, it’s not. We live in an imperfect world and what’s great about my kids is they’re mature enough to know that we’re on our own for now.”